The Wisdom Of The Witness (10.5)
Fred Kofman
Executive Coach | President at Conscious Business Center International - CBC
“I am no one,
so I can be any one,
become each one,
and see every one,
as One.”
“Fascinating!"
Mr. Spock
The fourth perspective is the stance of scientific objectivity. It is a rigorous approach that allows you to separate fact from your feeling, truth from your interpretation, what is from what you would like it to be.
From the fourth perspective you consider every fact, every feeling, every through as an object. Even "your" own experience (the one you'd have in the first perspective) is an object for the fourth person's subject.
The scientific method is one of the highest achievements of humanity. It is consciousness realizing its potential for mistake and self-delusion and developing a process to keep itself straight.
Our rational mind allows us, through methodical examination, to see through the illusions and logical fallacies that can bias our judgment and derail our actions.
The fourth person perspective is the one of the pure witness; awareness recognizing what is, as it is, for what it is. This is the view from nowhere, from now-here.
From this point of view you can see life as a movie and yourself as a detached spectator. You have no agenda other than discovering the truth, the truth that will set you free.
If you want to see clearly, think logically, and act effectively you need the fourth person perspective. In the following video I explain how this works.
Should you have any trouble viewing the video please click here to view on Fred's slideshare page
Readers: How do you feel taking the fourth perspective?
Fred Kofman is Vice President at Linkedin. This post is part 10.5 of Linkedin's Conscious Business Program. You can find the introduction and structure of this program here. Follow Fred Kofman on LinkedIn here. To stay connected and get updates please visit Conscious Business Academy and join our Conscious Business Friends group.
Head of People and OD and Non Executive Director (Solace)
5yThis perspective is great for not taking things personally, good for mental health and for learning, personal growth and development. Re-entering a conversation having taken this perspective I think brings clarity, focus and calm where instead one would be juggling competing desires, feelings and managing conflicting impulses.
Create. Collaborate. Community
5yI look forward to using this perspective more often.
Managing Partner, Executive Coach/Facilitator - Programs with 🐺, 🐴 and 🦁(in Kenya!)
6yLove this perspective. It allows you to play with the different puzzle pieces to see what happens by shifting each part. Great way to explore.
Driven and energetic learning professional. Focus on organizational needs, big picture, collaboration, and involvement.
6yI often play the role of the observer, as I am the Learning and Development Manager. It's my job to observe the interactions, assess the needs, and provide the tools so that people will have the skills. In my personal life, though, I am trying to focus more on being objective and not assume I understand other people's intentions.
Sustainability Entrepreneur | Cross-sector Collaboration, Impact-driven Solutions
6yI have been "lying" to myself for a while. I haven't been able to continuously take the 4th perspective into account in my relationships. Thanks to this article I realise that looking at the facts is not enough. Accepting them is the key here. Reading this article I could not help thinking the 4th perspective is part of the goal in meditation. It does not mean that I don't feel anything like Mr Spoke, it means I also recognise all emotions and stay fascinating by anything I observe. I love the now-here pun!